THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After a long wait, the construction of the second phase of Karamana-Kaliyikkavila road widening project is inching closer to reality. The tender proceedings are underway and two companies based in the city have submitted bids in the tender called on May 30 by Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).
The cost for the second phase is estimated at Rs 111.5 crore. As per the sources in PWD, the evaluation of the two bids are progressing and they would select the bidder by next month.
The government has decided to re-tender the bidding process due to a sole bid submitted early in May. Later, the government floated a tender again and two companies participated. According to a top PWD officer, the construction works, including the shifting of utilities on the two sides of the stretch from Pravachambalam to Kodinada in Balaramapuram, will begin by August.
“Evaluation of bids are progressing, We will soon decide the bidder so the delay won’t happen again in starting the construction works. We are expecting to start the preliminary works, including utility shifting, by August. The construction works will be in full throttle after Onam”, a top PWD officer told Express.
The tender process was delayed for months due to the obstruction in the land acquisition at Pravachambalam. Rehabilitation of around 22 families at the Old Rajapatha area near Pravachambalam remained a major hurdle for several months. However, the issue was settled later with the intervention of the district administration.
The 5.6-km stretch between Pravachambalam and Kodinada at Balaramapuram is the major part of the second phase of Karamana-Kaliyikkavila stretch. Earlier, Rs 266.67 crore was handed over to the Revenue Department for land acquisition in the Pravachambalam-Balaramapuram stretch. Of this, Rs 122.46 crore was also disbursed to the landowners. Meanwhile, land acquisition from Kodinada to Vazhimukku is moving at a snail’s pace. Sources said land acquisition process hit a roadblock after some traders raised objections and demanded a hike in compensation.
The revenue officials who were assigned the acquisition process had already informed the commercial establishments between Balaramapuram and Vazhimukku to immediately report the number of staff who would lose their jobs once the buildings are completely demolished. The government had also promised to compensate the employees.
Rs 111.5 crore
The estimated cost for the second phase development of Karamana-Kaliyikkavila road widening project
As per the sources in PWD, the evaluation of the two bids are progressing and they would select the bidder by next month.